WOLF FUND LETTER


Wolf Fund Letter - Coming Soon!



Please look for the Burr Wolf Fund letter in your child's folder this week. The Burr Wolf Fund is the PTO's annual fall fundraiser that raises a significant portion of the PTO's budget and helps pay for the PTO's two largest (and two very important) line items: Creative Arts and Sciences and technology.

Creative Arts and Sciences (CAS) provides multiple curriculum-aligned programs at each grade level. CAS is fully funded by the PTO. The PTO purchases technology, like iPads and interactive projectors, for use in classrooms. The PTO also funds other curriculum and enrichment programs, community building events, teacher supplies, the 5th grade fund and more.

This year's Burr Wolf Fund goal is to raise $26,000 by January 31, 2018. Please contribute an amount you are comfortable with: we greatly appreciate any and all contributions! Every contribution makes a difference in our students' experience at Burr!

You can contribute to the Wolf Fund by sending a check (made payable to Burr PTO) in your child's folder or by using this link https://www.burrpto.org/ and clicking the "Donate" button.

If you have any questions, please email the Burr Wolf Fund team at wolffund@burrpto.org.
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 SCHOOL DIRECTORY 


Sign up for the school directory!



Have you signed up for the Burr online school directory yet?  Be sure to sign up here:  https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/new-family.a5w?fam=BurrElementarySchool70142  

 Returning families must also UPDATE their child's info to reflect which class they're in this year.  If you don't do this, they won't show up on their class list.  

 Need help figuring out the online directory?  Burr Parent Sharon Gavini Reilly to the rescue with this handy dandy tutorial:  https://vimeo.com/232655681
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ROOM PARENTS


Room Parents: We want you!



The PTO has heard your calls for action and acknowledges your desire to do
more than just forward emails. This year, the all new and improved Room Parents will answer the call and take on a more active role.

You will have an opportunity to help plan and coordinate:

- Breakfast at Burr, a new grade-level potluck happening next month
- Plan casual playdates, such as a picnic at the Cove
- Teacher appreciation, ex. Valentine's Day cards
- Facilitate traditional PTO communications on events


To learn more, please contact Room Parent Coordinator, Jenn Reale,
jreale62808@gmail.com, or to volunteer, visit the Room Parent SignUp page

www.SignUpGenius.com/go/4090E4EAFAE2CA2F58-burr
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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED


Talking to Children About Race: 

Why & How

Oct. 10, 2017



This year, the Newton Public Schools will provide interested elementary school families with opportunities, information and resources on talking to children about issues of race, culture, and identity. This work will be personalized to individual school communities, based upon needs and interest.

To lead this work, the district is working with Amy Behrens, a parent coach, diversity educator, and NPS parent. She will support parent volunteers from all schools to help them:
  • Identify needs specific to their schools 
  • Create opportunities, through events and activities, for face-to-face conversations and dialogue 
  • Provide families with valuable information, tools and resources

If you would like to learn more, please email Amy at amy@amybehrens.com. The first meeting for interested volunteers will be held on Tuesday, October 10th at Angier Elementary (1697 Beacon) from 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. You may RSVP to the meeting via this link: https://goo.gl/forms/UuRYZbuSgrAamM322




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VOLUNTEERS NEEDED


Understanding Our Differences 2017-18


HELP WANTED!!!!!!


Please volunteer for the Understanding Our Differences Program at Burr School this 2017-2018 school year.


Understanding Our Differences is a non-profit organization working with the Newton Public Schools to provide a unique and creative disability awareness program for all elementary school children. 

Taught by volunteers, the program promotes inclusion, understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities and individual differences at our schools and in our community.

The curriculum addresses various disabilities and chronic medical conditions and is presented to Burr children in third, fourth and fifth grades.

Each unit includes an informational PowerPoint presentation, group discussions, a DVD, hands-on activities, and an opportunity to hear, and ask questions about, the experiences of a guest speaker with disabilities.

This program is brought to Burr by parent volunteers and takes place in the classrooms. Volunteers do not need to have children in a specific grade, teaching experience or a medical background. Parent participation is critical for this program’s success and is a real strength of this program.

Please check your calendars and consider volunteering. You can volunteer even if you can only be there on one day!


3rd grade (Wednesdays 9-11am)

November 29, 2017 -- Physical Disabilities

February 14, 2018 -- Blindness/Low Vision

March 14, 2018 -- Deafness/Hard of Hearing


4th grade (Wednesdays 9-11 am)

November 8, 2017 -- Learning Disabilities

May 2, 2018 -- Chronic Medical Conditions


5th grade (Thursdays 11:30-1pm activity; 2-2:30pm Guest Speaker)

October 5, 2017 -- Intellectual Disabilities

January 11, 2018 – Autism


Can you help? Contact: Deanna Salemme:salemme@comcast.net

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 SCHOOL DIRECTORY 


REMINDER:  Sign up or update your school directory info!



Have you signed up for the Burr online school directory yet?  Please sign up here:  https://www.myschoolanywhere.com/new-family.a5w?fam=BurrElementarySchool70142  



***Returning families must also UPDATE their child's info to reflect which class they're in this year.  If you don't do this, they won't show up on their class list.  Update here!***


Need help figuring out the online directory?  Burr Parent Sharon Gavini Reilly to the rescue with this handy dandy tutorial:  https://vimeo.com/232655681
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VOLUNTEER


Wolf Fund Envelope Stuffing Party September 26

Are you looking to help the PTO and have two hours to give? Then please help stuff envelopes for the PTO's annual fundraising campaign, The Wolf Fund, on September 26 at 7:30 pm. Contact Christine Dutt at Christine's email for her address or if you have any questions. She promises you'll be done at 9:30 pm! And there will be snacks and beverages. Thank you!


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Reminder! 


 School Closed For Rosh Hashanah This Thursday, 9/21/17





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ROOM PARENTS


Room parents:  we want YOU!  



 The PTO has heard your calls for action and acknowledges your desire to do
more than just forward emails. This year, the all
new and improved Room Parents will answer the call and take on a more
active role. 

You will have an opportunity to help plan and coordinate:

 - Breakfast at Burr, a new grade-level potluck happening next month

- Plan casual playdates, such as a picnic at the Cove
- Teacher appreciation, ex. Valentine's Day cards
- Facilitate traditional PTO communications on events

To learn more, please contact Room Parent Coordinator, Jenn Reale,
jreale62808@gmail.com, or to volunteer, visit the Room Parent SignUp page

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BLUE ZONE


Drop-off and Pick-up Tips


Drop-off and pick-up can be tricky, especially in the beginning of the school year.  Luckily, we have plenty of tips to help you learn all about the Blue Zone and more!

There are many ways to get to school:  walk, bike, bus, and parent drop-off. At the beginning of the year and periodically throughout the year we especially need to talk about the blue zone and safety.

 Just about anything anyone needs to know about getting to school can be found here on the Burr PTO website: https://www.burrpto.org/the-blue-zone

BLUE ZONE:

A Blue Zone is an area designated by the City of Newton for the safe and quick drop-off/pick-up of students by car. These areas are marked by blue curbs and blue School Pick-up/Drop-off Zone signs.  Cars may only remain in the Blue Zone long enough for a child to enter/exit the car—no parking. Please note that there is also no parking in the Live Parking areas (marked by signs), as this is where cars queue to pull into the Blue Zone. Drivers MUST stay in their cars at all times in both the Blue Zone and Live Parking areas. Violators who park in either can be towed or ticketed by the police.  These rules exist to help kids get to/from school safely!

PLEASE abide by the Blue Zone rules to ensure that dismissal and drop off is as safe as possible for our children. 

The Blue Zone system doesn't work for everyone, so if you feel it won't work for you or your child, that's fine.  Especially if you have a younger child, it can be very tricky! Just plan to walk, or leave enough time to park legally and walk your kids up to the school.




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 FROM THE DESK OF NURSE BEST 



Get the Flu Vaccine at School,
Not the Flu!


Seasonal flu vaccination clinics will be held during the school day at the Newton Public Schools beginning in late September. Students in Kindergarten through grade 12 may receive vaccine.

 The Burr School flu clinic will be on Wednesday, October 18th! 

 Each student to be vaccinated must have a parent/guardian complete two forms:
Consent/Screening form
Vaccine administration record/Insurance form

 Forms are available in the school nurse’s office, or may be downloaded at www.newtonma.gov/flu. Forms are due to the School Nurse Monday, October 16th.
The flu shot is the only vaccine available this year due to continued CDC guidance against using Flumist, the nasal spray flu vaccine. The Vaccine Information Statement about the flu shot, and additional information for families including tips on preparing kids for a shot is available at www.newtonma.gov/flu or in the school nurse’s office. There is no cost to receive the vaccine, but insurance information is requested. All students, regardless of insurance status, are invited to receive vaccine with parent permission.

 Students are not required to receive flu vaccine, however the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends flu vaccine for all people age 6 months and up. There are many places to get a flu vaccine including at school, your primary health care provider or community clinics. For additional clinic dates for the whole family, visit www.newtonma.gov/flu.

 In addition to vaccination, it is important to practice good hand hygiene and cough etiquette by washing hands often; covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the arm; and staying home when sick. 

 For more flu prevention tips, talk to the school nurse or check out these websites: www.newtonma.gov/flu and www.cdc.gov/flu




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CONNECT WITH US


Follow us on Facebook!


LIKE the official Burr PTO page for announcements!  
https://www.facebook.com/burrschoolpto

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 THE BURR PTO PRESENTS 


Back to School Picnic!

SAVE THE DATE

 Date: Thursday Sept 14 
Time: 5:30-7:30 pm

Come hang out with Burr Families and enjoy a fun picnic.  More details to follow!

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